Terminal device with display function

ABSTRACT

A terminal device with a display function enables only an operation of a desired operation key valid, and easily perform the invalidation operation. In response to switching to a predetermined function mode by manipulating a jog dial, an image in the switched function mode is displayed in a display surface, based on an image signal from a display control section. A bar is located on a borderline between a contents area and an operation area in an initial state of displaying an image. When the jog dial is manipulated by the user to thereby move the bar from the borderline to a predetermined position within the operation area, a CPU determines that the position of the bar has been moved. Then, the CPU detects a new position of the bar, and makes an operation with respect to the operation key located between the bar and the borderline invalid.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/324,001, filed on Jul. 3, 2014, which is a continuation ofSer. No. 13/837,551, filed on Mar. 15, 2013, which is a continuation ofSer. No. 12/864,738, filed on Jul. 27, 2010, which is the U.S. NationalStage Application of PCT/JP2009/051083, filed on Jan. 23, 2009, andclaims the benefit of Japanese Application No. 2008-018363, filed onJan. 29, 2008. The contents of the above applications are incorporatedby reference herein in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a terminal device with an image displayfunction, and more particularly to a mobile terminal device such as amobile phone and a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant).

BACKGROUND

In recent years, there have been increasing mobile terminal devices suchas a mobile phone and a PDA, wherein a touch panel is disposed on adisplay surface, and a user is allowed to perform various operations bypressing operation keys displayed on the display surface with the user'sfinger or a touch pen.

Since the touch panel responds even to a small pressing force, the touchpanel is likely to be operated even when the user does not intend tooperate. Accordingly, there is a problem that the device is likely to beerroneously activated.

To solve the above problem, there is proposed an arrangement ofproviding a switch section switchable between states of making inputthrough an input section (operation keys) valid and invalid, asnecessary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the above arrangement, however, it is impossible to make only theoperation keys which are not used invalid, and good usability has notbeen obtained.

In view of the above, an object of the invention is to provide aterminal device with a display function that enables to make only anoperation of a desired operation key invalid, and easily perform theinvalidation operation.

Means to Solve the Problem

In view of the above problem, the invention has the following features.

A terminal device with a display function according to a first aspect ofthe invention includes a display section; a display control sectionwhich divides a display area of the display section into a first displayarea and a second display area to display images corresponding to therespective areas; operation keys to be displayed in the second displayarea; a moving element which is displayed in the display area, and ismovable in an array direction of the first display area and the seconddisplay area; a first operating section which allows a user to move themoving element; and a function control section which makes an operationof the operation key located between a stop position of the movingelement and the first display area in the array direction invalid.

A terminal device with a display function according to a second aspectof the invention includes a display section; an area dividing sectionwhich divides a display area of the display section into a first displayarea and a second display area; a display control section which displaysoperation keys in the second display area; a moving element which isdisplayed in the display area, and is movable in an array direction ofthe first display area and the second display area; a first operatingsection which allows a user to move the moving element; and a functioncontrol section which makes an operation of the operation key displayedbetween the moving element and the first display area invalid, inresponse to stopping of the moving element after the moving element ismoved by the first operating section.

A program according to a third aspect of the invention provides acomputer in a terminal device with a display function for dividing adisplay area into a first display area and a second display area,displaying operation keys in the second display area, and displaying, inthe display area, a moving element movable in an array direction of thefirst display area and the second display area, with a function ofmaking an operation of an operation key displayed between the movingelement and the first display area invalid, in response to stopping ofthe moving element after the moving element is moved in the seconddisplay area.

A program according to a fourth aspect of the invention provides acomputer in a terminal display device with a display function with afunction of making an operation of an operation key between the movingelement and a boundary of the display area invalid, in response tostopping of the moving element after the moving element is moved in adisplay area of the operation key.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an arrangement of a mobile phone inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing screen display examples of a television modeand a mail mode in the mobile phone of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the mobilephone of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for describing a sequence of a key operationinvalidation processing in the mobile phone of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing screen display examples, in the case where akey operation invalidation operation is performed in a mail mode of themobile phone of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for describing a sequence of another key operationinvalidation processing in the mobile phone of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing arrangements of setting tables to be used inanother key operation invalidation processing in the mobile phone of theembodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing screen display examples, in the case where akey operation invalidation operation is performed in a telephone mode ofthe mobile phone of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing screen display examples, in the case where akey operation invalidation operation is performed in a television modeof the mobile phone of the embodiment.

The drawings are provided mainly for describing the invention, and donot limit the scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following, an embodiment of the invention is described referringto the drawings.

In the embodiment, a liquid crystal display device 600 corresponds to “adisplay section” in the claims; and a contents area R1 and an operationarea R2 respectively correspond to “a first display area” and “a seconddisplay area” in the claims. Further, a display control section 110corresponds to “a display control section” and “an area dividingsection” in the claims; and a memory 700 corresponds to “a storingsection” in the claims. “A function control section” in the claims isrealized as a function to be provided to a CPU 100 by a control programstored in the memory 700. Further, a bar 6 corresponds to “a movingelement” in the claims, and a jog dial 7 corresponds to “a firstoperating section”, “a second operating section”, and “a third operatingsection” in the claims. An operation of e.g. rotating or pressing thejog dial 7 corresponds to an operation to be performed by the firstoperating section, the second operating section, and the third operatingsection. Further, a transmission key K1, character input keys K2, averbal communication start key K3, a communication end key K4, ten keysK5, channel feed keys K6, channel number keys K7, and a volume key K8correspond to “operation keys” in the claims.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an arrangement of a mobile phone, as anembodiment of a terminal device. FIG. 1(a), FIG. 1(b), and FIG. 1(c) arerespectively a front view, a right side view, and a rear view.

Referring to FIG. 1, the mobile phone of the embodiment has a cabinet 1constituting an outer casing of the mobile phone. The cabinet 1 has arectangular shape with a vertically long length in front view. A displaysurface 2 is formed substantially on the entirety of a front surface ofthe cabinet 1. Similarly to the cabinet 1, the display surface 2 has arectangular shape with a vertically long length.

The display surface 2 is constituted of a liquid crystal panel 3. Atouch panel 4 is disposed in front of the liquid crystal panel 3. Thetouch panel 4 detects a position on the display surface 2, which hasbeen depressed by the user, and outputs a signal (a position signal)indicating the position. A protection panel 5 is disposed in front ofthe touch panel 4. The protection panel 5 is adapted to protect thetouch panel 4 from damages. Vertical grooves 5 a and horizontal grooves5 b are formed in a grid pattern in a lower area on a surface of theprotection panel 5. When a character and/or a symbol representing afunction is displayed in a corresponding square region S defined by thegrooves 5 a and 5 b, each of the square regions S serves as an operationkey (a soft key) for allowing the user to perform various operations. Inthe case where an operation area R2 described hereinafter is formed inan area including an area where the square regions S are not formed,operation keys for allowing the user to recognize a boundary to anadjacent function are displayed in the area where the square regions Sare not formed by e.g. encircling a character representing the functionby a square mark.

The horizontally extending bar 6 is displayed on the display surface 2.The bar 6 divides a display area of the display surface 2 into upper andlower two screen areas. The upper area with respect to the bar 6 servesas the contents area R1, and the lower area with respect to the bar 6serves as the operation area R2. Various contents such as televisionimages, photographs and texts are displayed in the contents area R1.Further, various operation keys are displayed in the operation area R2.The user is allowed to move the bar 6 up and down in the display area bymanipulating the jog dial 7.

The jog dial 7 is disposed at a center portion on a back surface of thecabinet 1, and is rotated in up and down directions. When the jog dial 7is rotated in upward direction, the bar 6 is moved in upward direction;and when the jog dial 7 is rotated in downward direction, the bar 6 ismoved in downward direction. The jog dial 7 is also moved in forward andbackward directions, and functions as a push button.

An R button 8 and an L button 9 are disposed on the left and on theright of the jog dial 7, respectively. The user is allowed to perform apredetermined operation by operating the R button 8 and the L button 9.

A camera module 10 is provided on an upper part in the interior of thecabinet 1. A imaging lens 10 a and a flash section 10 b of the cameramodule 10 are provided outward on the back surface of the cabinet 1.

In the mobile phone, the display screen is switchable between variousfunction modes (including telephone mode, mail mode, television mode,music mode, internet mode, and camera mode) by fixing the bar 6 to apredetermined position.

In view of the above, plural fixed positions (e.g. L1 through L6) areset on the display surface 2 in up and down directions. For instance, inthe case where the user manipulates the jog dial 7, moves the bar 6 tothe fixed position L5, and presses (short-time presses) the jog dial 7for a short time in a state that the bar 6 is in the fixed position L5,an image in the television mode is displayed. Further, in the case wherethe user moves the bar 6 to the fixed position L6, and presses the jogdial 7 for a short time thereat, an image in the television mode isswitched to an image in the mail mode. The position of the bar 6 in aninitial state of switching is defined as a borderline BL between thecontents area R1 and the operation area R2 in images in these functionmodes.

FIG. 2(a) shows a screen display example in the television mode. FIG.2(b) shows a screen display example in the mail mode. In the televisionmode, as shown in FIG. 2(a), image contents are displayed in thecontents area R1, and plural operation keys for allowing the user toperform operations relating to image display are displayed in theoperation area R2. In the mail mode, as shown in FIG. 2(b), forinstance, inputted characters are displayed in the contents area R1, andoperation keys for allowing the user to input a mail message ortransmit/receive mails are displayed in the operation area R2.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the mobilephone in accordance with the embodiment. The mobile phone includes a CPU100, a TV module 200, a microphone 300, a panel speaker 400, acommunication processing section 500, a liquid crystal display device600, a memory 700, a battery 800, and a power source section 900, inaddition to the aforementioned components described referring to FIG. 1.

The TV module 200 includes a TV tuner, converts a radio wave such as aterrestrial digital broadcast wave or a terrestrial analog broadcastwave received through an antenna 210 into a video signal, and transmitsthe video signal to the CPU 100.

The camera module 10 includes an imaging element 10 c, in addition tothe imaging lens 10 a and the flash section 10 b. The imaging lens 10 aforms an image of a subject on the imaging element 10 c. The imagingelement 10 c is constituted of e.g. a CCD, generates an image pickupsignal corresponding to a picked up image, and transmits the imagepickup signal to the CPU 100.

The microphone 300 converts a sound signal into an electrical signal,and transmits the electrical signal to the CPU 100. The panel speaker400 reproduces a sound signal from the CPU 100 as a sound.

The communication processing section 500 converts e.g. a sound signal,an image signal, or a text signal from the CPU 100 into a radio signal,and transmits the radio signal to a base station through an antenna 510;and converts the radio signal received through the antenna 510 into e.g.a sound signal, an image signal, or a text signal, and transmits thesignal to the CPU 100.

The liquid crystal display device 600 includes the liquid crystal panel3, and a backlight device (not shown) serving as a light source of theliquid crystal panel 3, and displays an image on the liquid crystalpanel 3 by a drive signal from the CPU 100.

The memory 700 is provided with an ROM (Read Only Memory) and an RAM(Random Access Memory). The ROM stores e.g. a control program foroperating the CPU 100, and table information to be referred to inexecuting the control program. For instance, a table, in which the fixedpositions of the bar 6 and the function modes are correlated to eachother, is stored as the table information. The ROM further stores afirst setting table and a second setting table to be described later.

Further, the RAM saves e.g. image data photographed by the camera module10, or image data or text data (mail data) acquired from an externaldevice through the communication processing section 500 in apredetermined file format. The RAM also saves image contents (such astelevision programs and movies) acquired from an external device by theTV module 200 or the communication processing section 500.

The battery 800 supplies an electric power to the CPU 100 and variousparts of the mobile phone other than the CPU 100. The battery 800 isconstituted of a secondary battery. The battery 800 is connected to thepower source section 900.

The power source section 900 converts a voltage of the battery 800 intoa voltage of a required level for the respective parts, and supplies thevoltage to the respective parts. Further, the power source section 900supplies an electric power supplied through an input section (not shown)of an external power source to the battery 800 to charge the battery800. The power source section 900 is provided with a voltage detectingsection 910. The voltage detecting section 910 detects a voltage of thebattery 800, and supplies the voltage to the CPU 100.

The CPU 100 controls the respective parts in accordance with the controlprogram and the table information stored in the memory 700 (ROM). Forinstance, the CPU 100 outputs a control signal to e.g. the panel speaker400 and the liquid crystal display device 600, based on an input signalfrom e.g. the touch panel 4, the jog dial 7, the R button 8, the Lbutton 9, the microphone 300, and the imaging element 10 c to therebyperform a predetermined processing in the respective function modes. TheCPU 100 also determines the residual amount of the battery 800, based ona voltage signal from the voltage detecting section 910. The CPU 100also performs a processing of causing the liquid crystal display device600 to display various images in the respective function modes.

A processing function (a display processing function) with respect tothe liquid crystal display device 600, out of the control processingfunctions provided to the CPU 100 by the control program, isparticularly called as the “display control section 110”, and thedisplay control section 110 is illustrated in the CPU 100 in FIG. 3 forconvenience of description.

The display control section 110 generates an image to be displayed onthe liquid crystal display device 600 within a memory (not shown)serving as a work area prepared in the CPU 100, and outputs an imagesignal (an RGB signal) to the liquid crystal display device 600 forcausing the liquid crystal display device 600 to display the generatedimage. The display control section 110 also acquires e.g. image datatransmitted from the imaging element 10 c, image data saved in thememory 700, or image data (image contents) received through the TVmodule 200 or the communication processing section 500. Then, thedisplay control section 110 generates an image signal (an RGB signal)based on the acquired image data, and outputs the generated image signalto the liquid crystal display device 600. The liquid crystal panel 3 ofthe liquid crystal display device 600 i.e. the display surface 2displays an image (including video) in accordance with the image signal.

As described above, in the case where the jog dial 7 is manipulated, theoperation amount of the jog dial 7 is determined in the CPU 100. Then,an image signal is transmitted from the display control section 110based on the operation amount to thereby move the bar 6 displayed on thedisplay surface 2 by the operation amount.

In the mobile phone of the embodiment, various operations are mainlyperformed by the operation keys of the touch panel disposed in theoperation area R2. Since the touch panel 4 responds even to a smallpressing force, the touch panel 4 is likely to be operated even when theuser does not intend to operate. Therefore, for instance, while the userinputs a mail message by the character input keys, the user's finger maytouch an operation key near the character input key in operation, andother processing may be performed. Further, in the case where the mobilephone is put in a pocket or a bag, an object may be contacted with anoperation key, and the mobile phone may be erroneously activated.

In view of the above, in this embodiment, an erroneous activation of thedevice resulting from an inadvertent operation against the user's willis prevented by executing a key operation invalidation processing ofmaking an operation of an operation key invalid in response to theuser's manipulation.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for describing a sequence of a key operationinvalidation processing. FIG. 5(a) and FIG. 5(b) are diagram showingscreen display examples, in the case where a key operation invalidationoperation is performed in the mail mode.

The sequence is described referring to FIGS. 4 through 5(b). Asdescribed above, in response to switching to a predetermined functionmode by manipulating the jog dial 7, an image in the switched functionmode is displayed on the display surface 2, based on an image signalfrom the display control section 110 (S1). For instance, in the mailmode, the image shown in FIG. 2(b) is displayed. The bar 6 is located onthe borderline BL between the contents area R1 and the operation area R2in an initial state of displaying an image (see FIG. 2(b)).

In response to the user's manipulation of the jog dial 7 to thereby movethe bar 6 from the borderline BL to a predetermined position within theoperation area R2, the CPU 100 determines that the position of the bar 6has been moved (YES in S2). Then, the CPU 100 detects a new position ofthe bar 6, and performs a setting of making an operation with respect toan operation key within an area (a key invalidation area) between thebar 6 and the borderline BL invalid.

For instance, as shown in FIG. 5(a), in the case where the bar 6 islocated between the transmission key K1 and the character input keys K2,operation keys in an upper position with respect to the character inputkeys K2 such as the transmission key K1 are made invalid, and thecharacter input keys K2 are made valid. Accordingly, the user is allowedto input a mail message by the character input keys K2. In thisarrangement, for instance, even if the user inadvertently touches thetransmission key K1 in an upper position of the character input key K2indicating the Japanese character “

”, in an attempt to press the character input key K2, there is nolikelihood that a mail may be transmitted against the user's will.

As shown in FIG. 5(b), when the bar 6 is moved to a lowermost part ofthe operation area R2, the entirety of the operation area R2 is definedas a key invalidation area, and all the operation keys are made invalid.In this example, when the bar 6 is located in a certain position withinthe disposition area of the sixteen character input keys K2, only thecharacter input keys K2 within the key invalidation area are madeinvalid. However, it is meaningless to make a part of the characterinput keys K2 invalid. In view of this, in the case where a part of thecharacter input keys K2 is located within a key invalidation area, allthe character input keys K2 may be made invalid. Alternatively, all thecharacter input keys K2 may be made invalid when all the character inputkeys K2 are located within a key invalidation area. In other words, inthe case where operation keys having the same function are disposed in agroup, it is desirable to make all the operation keys in a groupinvalid.

Subsequently, the CPU 100 determines whether an operation of prohibitingmovement of the bar 6 has been performed (S4). For instance, the user isallowed to perform the operation prohibiting movement by pressing(long-time pressing) the jog dial 7 for a long time. If the CPU 100determines that the operation of prohibiting movement of the bar 6 hasbeen performed (YES in S4), the CPU 100 performs a setting ofprohibiting movement of the bar 6 by manipulation of the jog dial 7(S5). Based on the above setting, the display control section 110 keepsthe bar 6 from moving within the display area, even if the jog dial 7 ismanipulated. Thus, for instance, in the case where the user puts themobile phone in a bag or a pocket, by performing an operation ofprohibiting movement of the bar 6 in a state that all the operation keysare made invalid, there is no likelihood that the invalidation area ofoperation keys may be varied even if the jog dial 7 is inadvertentlyoperated in the bag or the pocket. This enables to prevent an erroneousactivation of the device.

Then, if the operation of prohibiting movement of the bar 6 is notperformed (NO in S4), and as described above, an operation of switchingthe mode by short-time pressing the jog dial 7 is performed (YES in S6),the CPU 100 performs a setting of switching to an image in the functionmode corresponding to the position of the bar 6 (S7). As a result of theabove operation, an image in a new function mode is displayed on thedisplay surface 2, based on an image signal from the display controlsection 110.

As described above, in the embodiment, an operation key invalidationarea is defined by the borderline BL between the contents area R1 andthe operation area R2, and the bar 6; and only an operation of theoperation keys within the invalidation area is made invalid.Accordingly, the user is allowed to make an operation key which is notnecessary for a current operation invalid, and keep on making anoperation key necessary for the current operation valid. This allows theuser to smoothly perform a necessary operation, while preventing anerroneous activation of the device against the user's will.

Further, in the embodiment, since an operation of making a desiredoperation key invalid is performed by merely performing an operation ofmoving the bar 6, the user is allowed to easily perform the keyinvalidation operation.

Furthermore, in the embodiment, since movement of the bar 6 isprohibited by the user's manipulation, the bar 6 is not moved, even ifan operation of moving the bar 6 is inadvertently performed.Accordingly, for instance, even if the jog dial 7 is operated in apocket or a bag against the user's will in a state that all the keys aremade invalid, there is no likelihood that the keys may resume to a validstate. Thus, an erroneous activation of the device against the user'swill can be smoothly avoided.

Furthermore, in the embodiment, since the moving element is used incommon as an index for switching the function mode, the operation can besimplified, and the operability of the device can be enhanced.

The embodiment of the invention has been described as above, but theinvention is not limited to the above. Further, the embodiment of theinvention may be changed or modified in various ways as necessary, asfar as such changes and modifications do not depart from the scope ofthe claims of the invention hereinafter defined. For instance, theembodiment may be modified as follows.

Specifically, as will be described below, in the case where oneoperation key is used to execute plural functions, it is possible toconfigure an arrangement, wherein an operation by the one operation keycorresponding to a part of the functions is made valid (i.e. a part ofthe functions based on the operation is executed), even if the operationof making the one operation key invalid is performed. The modificationenables to execute a necessary function without releasing the operationkey invalidation operation. This enhances the usability of the device.

Alternatively, it is possible to configure an arrangement, wherein thesetting of a function in association with an operation key is changed inresponse to an operation of making the operation key invalid. Themodification enables to concurrently change the setting of e.g. afunction in association with a certain operation key by making thecertain operation key invalid. This further enhances the usability ofthe device.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for describing a sequence of another key operationinvalidation processing. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing arrangements ofsetting tables to be used in the another key operation invalidationprocessing. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing screen display examples, in thecase where a key operation invalidation operation is performed in thetelephone mode.

The sequence is described referring to FIG. 6 through FIG. 8. Similarlyto the above embodiment, if an image in a predetermined function mode isdisplayed on the display surface 2 (S11), the CPU 100 determines whetherthe position of the bar 6 has been moved (S12). If it is determined thatthe position of the bar 6 has been moved (YES in S12), the CPU 100detects a new position of the bar 6, and executes an operation of makingan operation key located between the bar 6 and the borderline BL invalidin accordance with the first setting table stored in the memory 700(S13).

For instance, as shown in FIG. 8(a), in the case where the bar 6 islocated between the verbal communication start key K3 and the ten keysK5 in the telephone mode, the operation keys in the upper position withrespect to the ten keys K5, such as the verbal communication start keyK3 and the verbal communication end key K4, are set as invalidationcandidates.

As shown in FIG. 7(a), the first setting table defines a setting as towhether a function allocated to an operation key is made valid orinvalid when the operation key is set as an invalidation candidate ineach of the function modes. In the case where one function is allocatedto one operation key, the function is made invalid. On the other hand,in the case where two or more functions are allocated to one operationkey, some functions are made valid. For instance, in the case where theverbal communication start key K3 is set as an invalidation candidate inthe telephone mode, a call request function of making a phone call ismade invalid, and a call receiving function of receiving a phone call ismade valid in response to an operation of the verbal communication startkey K3.

Then, the CPU 100 changes a setting of a predetermined function inaccordance with the second setting table stored in the memory 700 (S14).Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7(b), the second setting table defines asto how a setting of a predetermined function is changed in response to asetting of an operation key as an invalidation candidate. For instance,in response to a setting of the verbal communication start key K3 as aninvalidation candidate as described above, a setting of making anyanswer function invalid is performed, and also a setting of making thecall request function by an operation key other than the verbalcommunication start key K3 invalid is performed. The any answer functionis a function of allowing the user to start verbal communications bypressing any of the operation keys in response to an incoming call.

In the case where the key invalidation area is set as shown in FIG.8(a), the user is not allowed to make a phone call, even if the verbalcommunication start key K3 is operated. However, the user is allowed toreceive a phone call by operating the verbal communication start key K3in response to an incoming call. Accordingly, the user is allowed toreceive a phone call in response to an incoming call without performingan invalidation releasing operation, even if the operation of the verbalcommunication start key K3 has been made invalid.

Further, even if the any answer function is set in advance, since theaforementioned function is made invalid, the user is not allowed toreceive a phone call by operating an operating key (e.g. the ten keys K5whose operation is made valid) other than the verbal communication startkey K3. Accordingly, even if the mobile phone is put in e.g. a bag,there is no or less likelihood that an operation of starting verbalcommunications may be inadvertently started at the time of an incomingcall, resulting from e.g. an impact. This enables to prevent the mobilephone from being inadvertently brought to a communication state.Further, since the outgoing call request function by an operation keyother than the verbal communication start key K3 is made invalid, theuser is not allowed to make a phone call by operating an operation key(e.g. a telephone directory function) other than the verbalcommunication start key K3.

In the above state, all the operations with respect to the operationkeys within the key invalidation area such as the verbal communicationend key K4 are not accepted (in other words, functions based on theoperation keys are not executed).

As shown in FIG. 8(b), in the case where the bar 6 is moved to thelowermost position in the operation area R2, and the entirety of theoperation area R2 is defined as a key invalidation area, all theoperations of the ten keys K5 are not accepted.

Subsequently, similarly to the above embodiment, if an operation ofprohibiting movement of the bar 6 is performed in a state that theoperation key invalidation operation is activated (YES in S15), the CPU100 performs a setting of prohibiting movement of the bar 6 (S16). Then,if an operation of switching the mode is performed (YES in S17), the CPU100 switches to an image in a new function mode based on the position ofthe bar 6 (S18).

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing screen display examples, in the case wherean operation of making a key operation invalid is performed in thetelevision mode. In the television mode, there are prepared a normalmode, wherein the contents area R1 is displayed with a small size, and atelevision image is displayed with a smaller size in vertical directionas shown in FIG. 9(a); and a wide mode, wherein the contents area R1 isdisplayed with a large size, and a television image is displayed with alarger size in horizontal direction as shown in FIG. 9(b).

In an image in the normal mode, for instance, there are displayed twokinds of operation keys having a channel selecting function in theoperation area R2. One kind of the operation keys is the channel feedkeys K6 constituted of a feed key for incrementing the channel number,and a feed key for decrementing the channel number. By operating thecorresponding channel feed key K6, the channel number is successivelyincremented/decremented. The other kind of the operation keys is thechannel number keys K7 constituted of six numeral keys corresponding torepresentative channel numbers. By pressing one of the channel numberkeys K7, the user is allowed to directly select a desired channelnumber.

In the image in the normal mode, as shown in FIG. 9(a), in the casewhere the bar 6 is moved to a position beneath the channel feed keys K6,an operation with respect to the channel feed keys K6 is made invalid.In this state, if the aforementioned second setting table is set asmaking the channel selecting function by the channel number keys K7invalid in response to setting the channel feed keys K6 as aninvalidation candidate, an operation of the channel number key K7 isalso made invalid by moving the bar 6 to a position beneath the channelfeed keys K6, as described above. Thus, the user is allowed to set themobile phone to a channel selection disabled state, without moving thebar 6 to a position beneath the channel number keys K7. Accordingly, asshown in FIG. 9(a), even if the channel feed keys K6 and the channelnumber keys K7 are disposed away from each other, and other operationkey (in this example, the volume key K8) is disposed between theseoperation keys, it is possible to keep an operation of the otheroperation key from being made invalid.

In an image in the wide mode shown in FIG. 9(b), in the case where thevolume key K8 is in the key invalidation area, an operation of thevolume key K8 is made invalid. In this state, if the volume key K8 isset as an invalidation candidate in the second setting table, a soundoutput function is made invalid. Specifically, in the case where asetting of muting the sound has been made, the sound output is suspendedby moving the bar 6 as described above. Thus, the user is allowed toeasily mute the sound, as necessary, while keeping the sound volume inan original state.

In the example of FIG. 9(a), an operation of the channel number keys K7is made invalid in response to making an operation of the channel feedkeys K6 invalid. Alternatively, in the case where these operation keysare disposed upside down, it is possible to make an operation of thechannel feed keys K6 invalid in response to making an operation of thechannel number keys K7 invalid. Further alternatively, it is possible toset the sound volume to a predetermined fixed level, in the case wherean operation of the volume key K8 is made invalid.

In the above embodiment, the bar 6 is operated by jog dial 7.Alternatively, the bar 6 may be moved by operating the touch panel 4. Inthe modification, the user is allowed to move the bar 6 up and down bytouching the position of the bar 6 with his or her finger, and movingthe finger up and down with respect to the touch panel 4. While the bar6 is moved over a certain operation key, the operation key is in a stateof being pressed by the finger. In view of this, by making an operationof a certain operation key invalid while the bar 6 is being moved overthe operation key, inadvertent acceptance of the operation key can beprevented.

In this embodiment, the setting of switching the mode, and prohibitingmovement of the bar 6 is performed by short-time pressing or long-timepressing the jog dial 7. Alternatively, the setting of switching themode, and prohibiting movement of the bar 6 may be performed simplybased on the position of the bar 6, without depending on a pressing timeof the jog dial 7. Specifically, it is possible to prohibit movement ofthe bar 6 in response to pressing the jog dial 7 while the bar 6 is inthe lowermost part of the operation area R2; and allow switching of themode in response to pressing the jog dial 7 while the bar 6 is in acertain position (a fixed position) within the operation area R2.

Generally, it is often the case that movement of the bar 6 is prohibitedwhen the mobile phone is not used. In this case, it is more likely thatall the operation keys are made invalid. In view of the above, in mostof the cases, it is conceived that the object is achieved by prohibitingmovement of the bar 6 while the bar 6 is in the lowermost part of theoperation area R2. However, since the lowermost part is not a fixedposition for switching the mode, it is impossible or difficult to switchthe mode while the bar 6 is in the lowermost part. In view of the above,an operation of switching the mode is performed while the bar 6 is in acertain position (a fixed position) within the operation area R2.

As described above, it is often the case that movement of the bar 6 isprohibited while the bar 6 is in the lowermost part of the operationarea R2; and an operation of switching the mode is necessary while thebar 6 is in a certain position (a fixed position) within the operationarea R2. In view of the above, as described above, it is possible tomeet the demands of a majority of the users by: prohibiting movement ofthe bar 6 in response to pressing the jog dial 7 while the bar 6 is inthe lowermost part of the operation area R2; and performing an operationof switching the mode in response to pressing the jog dial 7 while thebar 6 is in a certain position (a fixed position) within the operationarea R2.

By performing the above operation, there is no need of switching aprocessing depending on a pressing time of the jog dial 7. This enablesto simplify the processing. Further, since the user does not have to payattention to a pressing time of the jog dial 7, the user's operation canbe simplified.

Alternatively, in the mail mode, it is possible to accept an operationof an operation key when a new mail has been transmitted in a state thatthe operation key for shifting to display of a list of received mails ismade invalid. The modification allows the user to swiftly check the newmail.

Further, in the embodiment, the operating section for an operation ofmoving the bar 6, an operation of prohibiting movement of the bar 6, andan operation of switching the mode may be realized by the jog dial 7.Alternatively, the operations are realized by individual operatingsections. For instance, the R button 8 may serve as an operating sectionfor an operation of switching the mode, and the L button 9 may serve asan operating section for an operation of prohibiting movement of the bar6.

Furthermore, in the embodiment, the moving element of the invention isan image of the bar 6 extending over the entire transverse length of thedisplay surface 2. Alternatively, other image such as an arrow image intransverse direction may be used.

In the embodiment, a control program for executing the key invalidationprocessing (see FIG. 6), and the table information (see FIG. 7) used forthe control program are preinstalled in the memory 700 (ROM) in themobile phone. Alternatively, the control program and the tableinformation may be downloaded from e.g. a website and stored into thememory 700 through the communication processing section 500. Furtheralternatively, the control program and the table information may beinputted to the mobile phone by attaching a storage medium such as amemory card storing the control program and the table information, tothe mobile phone.

Further, the embodiment is configured to store a table, in which thefixed positions of the bar 6 and the function modes are correlated toeach other, into the memory 700 (ROM); and to switch the display screento an image in a corresponding function mode, based on the table, inresponse to changing the fixed position of the bar 6 in performing anoperation of switching the mode. Alternatively, for instance, theinvention may be configured to store a table, in which a ratio betweenrespective areas obtained by dividing an entire display area of thedisplay surface 2 in two areas by a fixed position of the bar 6, and afunction mode are correlated to each other, into the memory 700; and toswitch the display screen to an image in a corresponding function mode,based on the table, in performing an operation of switching the mode.Specifically, the recitation “stores the position of the moving elementand the function mode in correlation to each other” in the claims mayembrace an arrangement of storing a function mode by indirectcorrelation to the position of the moving element, such as anarrangement of storing a ratio between the respective areas obtained bydividing the display area by the moving element, and a function mode incorrelation to each other, in addition to the arrangement of storing theposition of the moving element and a function mode by direct correlationto each other.

The embodiment of the invention may be changed or modified in variousways as necessary, as far as such changes and modifications do notdepart from the scope of the claims of the invention hereinafterdefined.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile electronic device, comprising: a displaysection operable to display a dividing moving element, a first displayarea, and a second display area separated from the first display area bythe dividing moving element, wherein at least one of the first displayarea and the second display area is operable to display one or moreimages corresponding to respective functions; a touch panel on thedisplay section, operable to receive: a first user input to change alocation of the dividing moving element; and a second user input tostart one of the functions corresponding to one of the one or moreimages; and a central processing unit connected to the display sectionand the touch panel, the central processing unit being operable to: movethe dividing moving element to a new location on the display section inresponse to the first user input; and invalidate to start one of thefunctions corresponding to at least one of the one or more images inresponse to the second user input as the location of the dividing movingelement is moving in response to the first user input, wherein the firstdisplay area is a region for preventing the second user input.
 2. Thedevice according to claim 1, wherein the display section includes afirst side and a second side; the dividing moving element is movable ina direction from a first side to a second side of the display section;and the central processing unit is further operable to invalidate tostart one of the functions corresponding to all images of the seconddisplay area when the first display area occupies all of the displaysection as a result of the dividing moving element reaching the secondside of the display section.
 3. The device according to claim 1, whereinthe first user input is a touch input including touching the dividingmoving element with a user's finger and moving the user's finger on thetouch panel; and the central processing unit is operable to invalidateto start one of the functions corresponding to at least one of the oneor more images as the user's finger on the touch panel is moved over atleast one of the one or more images on the display section.
 4. Thedevice according to claim 1, wherein the first display area is operableto display at least one of image, text, video, and movie.
 5. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the first user input is a touch inputincluding touching the dividing moving element.
 6. The device accordingto claim 5, wherein the touch input further includes moving the user'sfinger on the touch panel.
 7. The device according to claim 1, whereinthe second user input is a touch input including touching the one of theimages.
 8. A method of operating a mobile electronic device with adisplay section comprising: displaying a dividing moving element, afirst display area, and a second display area separated from the firstdisplay area by the dividing moving element on the display section;displaying one or more images corresponding to respective functions onat least one of the first display area and the second display area;moving the dividing moving element to a new location on the displaysection in response to a first user input to a touch panel on thedisplay section; starting one of the functions corresponding to one ofthe images in response to a second user input to the touch panel on thedisplay section; and invalidating to start one of the functionscorresponding to at least one of the one or more images in response tothe second user input as the location of the dividing moving element ismoving in response to the first user input, wherein the first displayarea is a region for preventing the second user input.
 9. The methodaccording to claim 8, further comprising: moving the dividing movingelement in a direction from a first side to a second side of the displaysection; and invalidating to start one of the functions corresponding toall images of the second display area when the first display areaoccupies all of the display section as a result of the dividing movingelement reaching the second side of the display section.
 10. The methodaccording to claim 8, wherein the first user input is a touch inputincluding touching the dividing moving element with a user's finger andmoving the user's finger on the touch panel; and the central processingunit is operable to invalidate to start one of the functionscorresponding to at least one of the one or more images as the user'sfinger on the touch panel is moved over at least one of the one or moreimages on the display section.
 11. The method according to claim 8,further comprising displaying at least one of image, text, video, andmovie on the first display area.
 12. The method according to claim 8,wherein the first user input is a touch input including touching thedividing moving element.
 13. The method according to claim 12, whereinthe touch input further includes moving the user's finger on the touchpanel.
 14. The method according to claim 8, wherein the second userinput is a touch input including touching the one of the images.
 15. Amobile electronic device, comprising: a display section operable todisplay a dividing moving element, a first display area, and a seconddisplay area separated from the first display area by the dividingmoving element, wherein at least one of the first display area and thesecond display area is operable to display one or more imagescorresponding to respective functions; a touch panel on the displaysection, operable to receive: a first user input to change a location ofthe dividing moving element by touching the dividing moving element witha user's finger and moving the user's finger on the touch panel; and asecond user input to start one of the functions corresponding to one ofthe one or more images; and a central processing unit connected to thedisplay section and the touch panel, the central processing unit beingoperable to: move the dividing moving element to a new location on thedisplay section region in response to the first user input; andinvalidate to start one of the functions corresponding to at least oneof the one or more images as the location of the dividing moving elementis moving in response to the first user input, wherein the first displayarea is a region for preventing the second user input.
 16. The deviceaccording to claim 15, wherein the first display area is operable todisplay at least one of image, text, video, and movie.
 17. The deviceaccording to claim 15, wherein the first user input is a touch inputincluding touching the dividing moving element.
 18. The device accordingto claim 17, wherein the touch input further includes moving the user'sfinger on the touch panel.
 19. The device according to claim 15, whereinthe second user input is a touch input including touching the one of theimages.